Sunday, November 24, 2013

Canadian Government "Skeptical" Re Iran Nuke Deal, Will Maintain Sanctions

Unlike the rest of the West, the Harper government isn't overly impressed by the deal:
The Canadian government remains “deeply skeptical” of Iran in spite of the newly-brokered nuclear deal and will continue to implement tough economic sanctions on the country, says Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird. 
Under the new deal -- reached in Geneva during talks between Iran, the United States, France, Germany, Britain, China and Russia – the country will curb many of its nuclear activities for six months in exchange for relief from crippling economic sanctions. 
But Baird said the Canadian government has decided to take a wait-and-see approach-- and will evaluate the new deal based on its successful implementation. 
 “We will evaluate this deal not just on the merits of its words, but more importantly by its verifiable implementation and unfettered access of all Iranian nuclear facilities,” Baird said at a news conference Sunday. 
Until then, Canada will stick to economic sanctions, which “have brought the regime to present a more moderate front and open the door to negotiations,” Baird said. 
He added that Canada is skeptical of Iran’s “ability to honour its obligations.” 
“We think past actions best predict future actions and Iran has defied the United Nations Security Council, and has defied the International Atomic Energy Agency,” Baird said.  
“Simply put, Iran has not earned the right to have the benefit of the doubt.”
Simply put, Canada's government "gets" Iran better than Obama et al do.

Update: It takes but eight pithy words for Greg Gutfield to summarize the deal.

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